Give or take a temporary diversion, that's what Liverpool enjoyed against Leeds with a victory which was ultimately as comfortable as it deserved to be.

The performances of Michael Owen (left) and Danny Murphy especially were enough to make the heart fly as the mission to ensure the disappointment against Celtic didn't end Liverpool's season was launched.

Leeds may have been ripe for the plucking given the disarray at Elland Road, but any side arriving in town with a new manager has an extra spring in their step.

Any chance of Peter Reid celebrating a return to his old town with a priceless result, however, was scuppered largely by the devastating performance of Liverpool's number ten.

Owen is on top form now. Unfortunately for Liverpool, the season is going to end too soon for him as he looks sharper now than at any other stage of the campaign.

His 22nd goal of the season was reward enough, but his all-round contribution would have led to a greater distance between the sides had his strike partner Emile Heskey been as clinical.

This was Owen as both goalscorer and creator.

The way they started, Liverpool looked capable of wrapping the game up within twenty minutes.

El-Hadji Diouf showed how much he was missed against Celtic by giving Leeds' ironically named full-back Raul Bravo a torrid time.

For the second time in two fixtures, the left back facing Diouf would later be subbed early to save further embarrassment.

In this case the switch worked as Ian Harte did a much better job silencing the tricky African in the second half.

By then, most of the damage was done.

Twice in the first ten minutes a link-up with Heskey tore the visitors apart down the right flank, only for Paul Robinson to thwart the Senegal star (right) and the second effort to drift wide.

Robinson had already denied Murphy a 25-yard screamer, but he was helpless when Liverpool's dominance predictably ended with the first goal on 12 minutes.

Owen superbly controlled Steven Gerrard's pass, fed Diouf, and then courtesy of Bravo's deflection struck low into the corner with his left peg.

The second was even better. With Leeds' waiting for Danny Mills' clinical tackle on John Arne Riise to be penalised, Murphy played on and struck a beauty beyond Robinson.

After just 19 minutes, it seemed the only issue would be how many Liverpool would score. Heskey should have added a third and so one-sided was the game, it was tempting to offer Jerzy Dudek a sunbed and walkman to keep him occupied.

At this stage, the antics of Leeds Chairman Peter Ridsdale in the directors' box were becoming as absorbing as events on the pitch.

Ridsdale was yelling like some deranged fan every time a white jersey lost the ball. There was a suspicion his circus act was well rehearsed for the audience of reporters.

Nevertheless, it was something of a surprise his varied repertoire didn't include the Leeds' fans version of 'sack the board'.

Then Liverpool infuriatingly surrendered control with a sloppy period which offered Leeds a lifeline.

A combination of Riise's sliced clearance and Jason Wilcox's sliced shot allowed Mark Viduka two bites at the cherry, tapping in after his first header was well saved by Dudek.

Leeds had no right to still be in the game and Liverpool had contributed as much to a possible comeback as the visitors.

Like the rest of the Yorkshire folk, Ridsdale had more to complain about after the interval as the possibility of an unlikely draw was snuffed out.

It took Liverpool time to wrap up the points and some fine moves deserved better finishing.

Heskey (left) was particularly culpable. When Owen and Murphy's brilliance opened the Leeds' defence on the hour, Anfield should have witnessed one of most well constructed Liverpool moves of the season.

Instead, Heskey blasted high and wide and a passage of play which ought to have earned a standing ovation when Owen - whose performance even inspired a new, catchier chant from The Kop - turned provider again.

A solo run and cross found the rampaging Steven Gerrard and his finish was perfect. Fifty minutes later than we thought, the game really was over.

Gerrard had another fine match, although Murphy was best midfielder on the park, earning a glowing tribute from his manager.

A bandwagon to win Murphy a permanent role on the left hand side of England's midfield left town with the pack of national reporters.

Djimi Traore was also exceptional again.

But it was Owen who earned most plaudits and applause. He's yet to score 30 in a season for the Reds, but on this evidence he could easily reach that so far elusive target.

If Liverpool are to reach the promised land of the top four, they may need him to as they probably have to win at least six of their remaining seven games.

In keeping with recent Premiership fixtures, this was an encouraging performance where far more chances were being created and the only valid criticism, a bit like in those early weeks of the season, was sloppy finishing.

The sunglasses and ice cream lollies should have been served long before the 73rd minute.

But that's a minor flaw in an easy victory. More of the same will ensure the club finishes the season in the position it craves.